Well, not exactly. I think he chose his words poorly but I don't think he means "lesser" I think he means "less advantaged monetarily. However, I think this whole video is very interesting. Not sure I understand it all but I think think interviewer is more correct than Simpson....

I'm not at all familiar with M.I.A., but found this video for her song "Born Free" fascinating, as have (apparently) lots of other folk. Here, you can see Born Free and read jezebel's commentary on it.

Ya know, morons seem to be everywhere. Take for instance the GOP Minority Leader John Boehner who told a reporter:

"I'm still trying to find the first American to talk to who's in favor of the public option, other than a member of Congress or a member of the administration. I've not talked one and I get to a lot of places. I've not had anyone come up to me -- I know I'm inviting them -- and lobby for the public option. This is about as unpopular as a garlic milkshake."

Well go sign this petition to let him know that there are Americans who think a public option is a good idea:Click below to sign the petition:

This is me again (Ellen)Done that? If so, you'll get a confirmation that says:Why don't you give him a call, too, and fill up his voicemail. Here's his number:(202) 225-6205

I hate making phone calls, especially cold calls to politicians, but I figured, what the heck--it's just a voice mail message...Um well, I got a live staff member and I was so taken aback, I almost hung up but instead said I was an American citizen from the state of NY and that I just wanted to let Mr. Boehner know that although he doesn't seem to be aware of it, some people DO support the public option, and I'm one of them. The young man thanked me and we hung up. So go and call NOW.

I was just about to go to lunch with Gahan Wilson (who was picking me up at my apt) when I realized that I was going to MISS THE SPEECH!!! I got downstairs and we talked about the disappointment. However, as we meandered down Hudson Street looking for a place to eat (now that our regular joint, Florent, is gone), we got to Dublin 6 which announced in small signs outside--come and have a drink/food and watch the inauguration. How could we resist? We didn't. I wanted their Irish breakfast but they only serve it on weekends (I forgot)but made do and arrived JUST in time to see Obama sworn in and start his speech. We and the other patrons applauded loudly and I was just about in tears. And worried the whole time that something bad would happen. However, the overview of the crowds of people attending the inauguration almost made me forget my fears.

He made me and Gahan especially happy by giving a shout out, not only to Christians, Muslims, and Jews but to non-believers. We think this is the first time a president ever did that and it was a breath of fresh air. Thank you, President Obama.

Incidentally, I met Rick Bowes for lunch today and the place I'd planned to go was too loud and crowded at 2pm...The other place we ended up was also loud and crowded. I was astounded that everything was so crowded. Rick says it's been like this in NYC since Election Day.

I only got home Wed night and had dinner out Thursday with the incredible Kate Eltham and Robert Hoge--at my favorite local Japanese restaurant...which was more crowded than usual.

There seems to be an optimism and sigh of deep relief in NYC--how's it in your city? Notice anything different in the past week?

I'm in Seattle after being on buses all day, having had dinner with friends, and hearing/watching the results of the most important election of my lifetime. I'm tired (about to go to bed) but wanted to post this, despite not feeling very articulate because I've been thinking about it fro the past two days--worrying about the election and now glorying in it.

The election of Barack Obama is a watershed for the US in that it's a step in the right direction not only in defeating the bastards who have been destroying everything good about our country for the greater part of my lifetime. But even more importantly in my mind, it is a tiny step towards ameliorating this nation's racial divide. I am more moved than I can say.

I'm well aware that Obama lost in the deep south but I hope that by his example and his work even many of those die-hard racists will come to realize that color does not make the man. I know this may sound like both a platitude and Pollyanna/wishful thinking, but there it is.

I'm not expecting Obama and the rest of his administration to fix our problems in one term--the Republicans have done so much damage --especially in the last eight years, that it's going to take time to reverse our slide towards a country I've often been ashamed of. I just hope obama is given the time he needs to get us back on track.

I watched it (first one in years) because I'm in California withaccess to tv.

I was more ignorant about Biden than about Palin (I heard he was boring, a political hack, whatever). I've been following Palin's mishaps and Tina Fey's "parodies" of them since she was announced as McCain's running mate.

I think Biden was terrific--even though Palin did not respond to most ofthe actual questions and only was able to stay with her script and unableto improvise, he both responded TO the questions and responded to herconstant knocks at Obama. I was very impressed by Biden's knowledge of the issues, his passion (yes passion-not the showy hey I'm a patriotic Palinesque bullshitting kind), and his stature. I can see this man taking over for Obama if necessary. Gee, and he actually knows what a VP is supposed to do.

What this really showed me though is that while I don't think Palin is stupid,she iswoefully ignorant of anything going on outside of Alaska and NOT ready to be VP or President.

All the cramming she is admirable but the job of VP takes more than cramming. It takes experience and this debate really demonstrated how little experience she has.

Also, she needs to brush up on the constitution if she wants to be taken seriously. She'd like the constitution to give more power to the vp...and a special thanks to Biden for calling Cheney the most dangerous VP in history.

And here's an opinion that seems to be right on regarding Palin's ignorance of the basics. Notice how she can not deviate from the script but keeps repeating the same mish mosh she's been spoon fed. She did this with Charles Gibson too:

Three weeks ago -- before Sarah Palin's interview with Charlie Gibson was announced -- I mocked the idea that the McCain campaign was afraid to have Palin face our mighty press corps, and I defended Palin... more

Thanks to Eleanor Lang for the link

Here's more from the interview--read it and weep!

COURIC: You've cited Alaska's proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?

PALIN: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and on our other side, the land-- boundary that we have with-- Canada. It-- it's funny that a comment like that was-- kind of made to-- cari-- I don't know, you know? Reporters--

PALIN: Well, it certainly does because our-- our next door neighbors are foreign countries. They're in the state that I am the executive of. And there in Russia--

COURIC: Have you ever been involved with any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?

PALIN: We have trade missions back and forth. We-- we do-- it's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where-- where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is-- from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to-- to our state.

Tell me something about John McCain and/or Sarah Palin that will make me think well of them as candidates. Not as human beings, but as political candidates who have something to make me sit up and pay attention.

I apologize for posting so much about politics during the past few weeks, but I think that this is a crucial election that could be a point of no return if we don't shove the conservatives out (sorry if you're a conservative but this is MY blog).

This is from an Alaskan blog about the demonstration by Alaskan women against Palin. To me it's heartening -now let's make sure the word gets out. Pass it on: